DanoT
Explorer
Joined 15 years ago
User Profile
User Widgets
All Activity
Re: Winter RV camping
pianotuna wrote: A very bad idea. BruceAllen wrote: I'm thinking about getting the heating pads but I was thinking, I have three tanks, grey, black, and galley. Each are about 20-30 gallons. What if I just put 15-20ft heat tape, taped to the bottom of the tanks, then wrapped the reflective insulation on top of it, do you think that would be sufficient? Even the heating pads are a bad idea unless the outside temps NEVER get below 30F for more than a few minutes. It might help to know where you plan on spending the winter but regardless, most RVs that are marketed as 4 season, are still going to have frozen pipes and or dump valves in true winter conditions. Best, safest thing to do is use a porta-potti and pack water in portable containers, heat water on the stove and sponge bathe or use a primitive portable shower, drain grey tank immediately after each use.637Views0likes0CommentsRe: Winter RV camping
DianneOK wrote: I did not say turn off the heat, I said turn the heat down. Lowering from 70* to 55* is not allowing pipes to freeze.... The reason I don't agree with the above is that it is often difficult to get an even distribution of heat throughout an RV in winter. So while it might be a comfortable 70* in the main living area, at the same time it might be only 55* inside a cabinet where the water pipes run. Therefore turning down the main living area to 55* might mean that inside cabinets or other remote parts of the RV might end up below freezing. The amount of money saved by turning down the thermostat for a weekend when not in the RV to monitor temperatures is not worth the risk and expense of frozen pipes.427Views0likes0CommentsRe: Winter RV camping
DianneOK wrote: I would build the doghouse.....if leaving, make sure your propane tanks are full, lower the thermostat, unhook water line, leave the freshwater tank full. I never really worried too much about leaving....that's why we had insurance I wouldn't lower the thermostat because you want to keep the RV at a temperature that kept the pipes inside the RV from freezing while you were there AND while you are gone for the weekend.427Views0likes0CommentsRe: Winter camping in a popup?
I have a custom Phoenix popup camper, built for the Canadian winter. Most popups offer an arctic package for the popup portion. Mine is two layers of a Thinsulate knock-off sandwiched between two layers of fabric. The hard walls are 2" thick with rigid styro insulation I carry water in 2.5 gallon collapsible jugs and I use RV antifreeze instead of water in the porta-poti. I heat up water on the stove and use a "Hot Juggz" primitive shower which is a 2 gallon pump-up plant sprayer with a low flow shower nozzle and pressure release valve. I can shower with less than 2 gallons of water! I have a 18k btu furnace and a 2000watt Honda generator so I can turn the furnace off while charging the 2 AGM batteries and also run a 1000watt heater or a heat gun if needed. I almost never need to use my electric mattress warmer. I have 2 20lb propane tanks. I have been able to maintain 65F inside when it is 0F outside. Ready, set, let's go skiing!575Views0likes0CommentsRe: F150 and a Camper
I have a custom Phoenix popup camper built for the Canadian winter with 2" insulated walls, insulated cabinets for gen. set and 2 20lb propane tanks, lots of extra gear like tire chains, extra skis and clothing, shovels, tow chain, etc. and enough gear for a 3 to 4 week trip. It probably weighs 3300 lbs. wet. Truck and camper wet weight with me and the dog on board is 8800lbs. This exceeds the GVWR of my 91 Dodge diesel 3/4 ton by 300lbs. but does not exceed axle load rating or E load rated tires. Because of the very heavy Cummins engine the front axle weight is heavier than the rear. I have a Kelderman air bag suspension which includes front axle air bags.:B The truck handles great, stopping distances are good.457Views0likes0CommentsRe: My Truck and TC weight ????
That Cummins diesel does weight a ton. Well not quite, but my 91 Dodge diesel with a Phoenix pop-up camper weighs 8800 pounds (GVWR is 8510) with a lot of winter ski gear, full fuel tank, and me and my dog on board. Axle weights are not exceeded, but there is more weight on the front axle than the rear. Good thing I have a Kelderman Air Ride air bags suspension system front and rear.295Views0likes0CommentsRe: Border crossing- Bear spray?
I was going to suggest using bear bangers but I see from D&M's link, they are considered a firearm in the USA. Ironically I purchased my bear bangers from a work clothes store in Naniamo B.C. So, the USA has stricter bear banger laws than Canada...who knew? More bears is likely the reason. An air horn is another possibility.296Views0likes0Comments
Groups
RV Newbies
We all start out new. Share lessons learned or first-time questions!Mar 08, 20254,028 Posts Travel Trailer Group
Prefer to camp in a travel trailer? You're not alone.Mar 05, 202544,027 Posts
